Editor’s Note: For more on attractions in New York City, see our 2014 Guide to Attractions and “Awesome Apps for Planning Trips”
So you want to experience everything New York City has to offer (which is a lot)—but where to start? There are so many restaurants, historic landmarks, shops, and attractions to see that it can make even native New Yorkers’ heads spin! It might be best to leave the itinerary to the hands of tour guides and just enjoy the ride. Take a look at our list of popular walking, boat, and bus tours of the Big Apple.
Free Tours by Foot
This top-rated walking tour covers all of Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, for a whole day of city fun. What sets it apart from others is its name-your-own- price system, which lets you decide how much the tour is really worth afterwards. They also offer food, bike, bus, and ghost tours. freetoursbyfoot.com
Real New York Tours
While they do offer group walking tours, Real New York Tours’ private tours are what attract most visitors, as they allow greater personal attention and flexibility than with a bigger group. They offer six different touring areas all over the city, but you can also mix and match to customize your own itinerary. realnewyorktours.com
Circle Line Cruises
Operating out of Pier 83, Circle Line Cruises offers five different boat tours around Manhattan and major New York attractions, ranging from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours long. You can join a group of 1-14 passengers, or over 15 for a reduced price. They are also available for private charter. circleline42.com
New York Water Taxi
The New York Water Taxi tours the Statue of Liberty day and night, and caters to seasonal events like the Fourth
of July Fireworks. If that’s not enough, their All-Day
Access Pass lets you hop on and hop off the boat at stops whenever you want throughout the day. VIP tours, custom groups, and private charters are available. nywatertaxi.com
OnBoard New York Tours
Don’t want to walk or get on the water? Board this hop- on-hop-off shuttle bus tour and see the city roadside! With limited group sizes on smaller shuttles, OnBoard’s six different tours offer interactive, detailed tours of New York’s sights. You can book private tours as well. onboardnewyorktours.com
The Ride
This tour circles Midtown Manhattan, and has been described as more of an hour-long “comedy show” than a traditional tour, which is often focused on the city’s history. The busses’ stadium seating, huge panoramic windows, and quirky tour guides make this trip a unique experience. experiencetheride.com
